DOCKER(1) Docker User Manuals DOCKER(1)

# [NAME](#NAME)

docker-container-rm - Remove one or more containers

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

**docker container rm \[OPTIONS] CONTAINER \[CONTAINER...]**

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

**docker container rm** will remove one or more containers from the host node. The container name or ID can be used. This does not remove images. You cannot remove a running container unless you use the **-f** option. To see all containers on a host use the **docker container ls -a** command.

# [EXAMPLES](#EXAMPLES)

# [Removing a container using its ID](#Removing_a_container_using_its_ID)

To remove a container using its ID, find either from a **docker ps -a** command, or use the ID returned from the **docker run** command, or retrieve it from a file used to store it using the **docker run --cidfile**:

```
docker container rm abebf7571666
```

# [Removing a container using the container name](#Removing_a_container_using_the_container_name)

The name of the container can be found using the **docker ps -a** command. The use that name as follows:

```
docker container rm hopeful_morse
```

# [Removing a container and all associated volumes](#Removing_a_container_and_all_associated_volumes)

```
$ docker container rm -v redis
redis
```

This command will remove the container and any volumes associated with it. Note that if a volume was specified with a name, it will not be removed.

```
$ docker create -v awesome:/foo -v /bar --name hello redis
hello
$ docker container rm -v hello
```

In this example, the volume for **/foo** will remain in tact, but the volume for **/bar** will be removed. The same behavior holds for volumes inherited with **--volumes-from**.

# [OPTIONS](#OPTIONS)

**-f**, **--force**\[=false] Force the removal of a running container (uses SIGKILL)

**-l**, **--link**\[=false] Remove the specified link

**-v**, **--volumes**\[=false] Remove anonymous volumes associated with the container

# [SEE ALSO](#SEE_ALSO)

[**docker-container(1)**](/man/enterprise-packages/docker-cli-fips/docker-container.1)

Oct 2026 Docker Community

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Document: docker-container-rm(1) from docker-cli-fips 29.9.2-r2 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://github.com/docker/cli